Accessories

Nature-inspired decor

Accessories

Nature-inspired decor

With the warmer months upon us, we want to spend every possible moment outside. And as nature permeates decor, this isn’t hard to do. After a long, cold winter, it’s only natural to feel the desire to add some items to your home to welcome the warmer weather – wall colours invoking the great outdoors, flower
wallpaper patterns, wall hangings featuring wildlife, and tabletop decor that feels like you’re dining al fresco year round.

“Like any trend, only do it if it feels right for you and your home,” says designer
Lisa Canning. “Start with small touches like fresh flowers in a beautiful vase, or incorporate natural woods in a centrepiece -- or go bold with nature-inspired wallpaper or textiles if it works in your space,” she says.

Keeping it simpleOnce you decide to start incorporating nature-inspired decor into your home, be careful not to go overboard. Though you may have a strong love for a certain flower or animal, it’s best to keep their presence to a minimum, to make a stronger impact.

“Balance when using any overtly themed trend is key,” says Lisa. “The tacky factor can go way up when you start incorporating literal interpretations, like statues of birds, bird nests and actual trees, all in one area. The look can start to get theatrical -- which might be great for some people -- but may not be the intention of most,” she warns. “Less literal approaches, like natural fibers and throw pillows in a nature motif, that can be easily changed are a great way to bring your love for nature into your decor.”

Is bold printed wallpaper for you?You’ve likely noticed a trend in bold printed wallpaper over recent years. It’s common to feel hesitant before bringing this trend into your home, but Lisa says it’s easily adaptable. If you feel inclined to embrace bold wallpaper with a nature theme, go for it!

“I don't think you can ever go overboard when it comes to wallpaper,” says Lisa. “I would start with a small area like a foyer or a powder room. Or, in a larger space, a focal wall could be a great way to utilize this trend.”

Try adding a bold print to the wall behind your headboard in your bedroom, or one of the walls in your living room. If you have a two-piece bathroom or a small
welcoming entryway in your home, they’re both great candidates for wallpapers with nature-inspired prints.

Trends to tryIf you’re looking to add a touch of nature to your decor, Lisa suggests trying to incorporate colours found in nature. When selecting paint colours, accent pieces or fabrics, think yellows, greens and blues.

Florals are also a huge trend and can be easily added to your decor in fabrics.
Throw pillows, table linens and shower curtains featuring floral prints are all great ways to display your love of flowers.

“Birds and trees have yet to disappear as a decor trend, especially in wall coverings and textiles,” says Lisa. “Owls continue to fill retailers shelves as desk accessories and ornaments.”

Here are
10 nature-inspired home decor accessories we love.
Oblong driftwood table lampBring your love of
beach house chic to your
welcoming entryway console with this driftwood table lamp. Nothing says nature like wood!
West Elm,
$260.
Branch coral embroidered outdoor pillowJust because your
stylish outdoor furniture is likely surrounded by nature, it doesn’t mean you can’t add a little more. Try one of these coral
throw pillows for an instant pick-me-up to your outdoor space.
Pottery Barn,
$52.
Modern tree branch wall decor art print setWhite branches set against a grey background invoke the cold but beautiful days of winter. Admiring this magical season from your
cheery living room is so much easier than enduring it in the flesh!
AldariArt on Etsy,
$45.
Chinoiserie duvet setDesigner
Lisa Canning says birds are a huge trend in nature-inspired decor, and featuring these beautiful animals on your
beautiful bedding picks will have you waking up feeling as fresh as spring every single morning.
Dwell Studio,
$280.
Hemp rugIs there any better way to honour nature than by using
eco-friendly home decor accessories? This environmentally friendly hemp
area rug is a great way to bring nature into your home.
CB2,
$129.
Marimekko pippurikera wisteria shower curtain This shower curtain won’t only bring a touch of nature into your
bathroom style, but a pop of colour, too.
Crate & Barrel,
$75.50.
Lincoln pull-up tableThese neat side tables are made from solid logs from the trembesi tree and can be used as occasional
coffee tables. They’re lacquered on the outside, yet still showcase the beautiful rings of the wood on the top. We love it in sterling.
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams,
$296.
Vintage silver owl salt and pepper shakersThese vintage salt and pepper shakers are super cute, and right on trend. Liven up your
dining table with one of nature’s favourite creatures – the owl.
Vntagequeen on Etsy,
$24.
Monsoon collection wallpaper in chrysanthemumBring nature inside with this classic wallpaper, featuring a beautiful floral print in a rich, bold colour. Use it on an accent wall in a larger room, like a
glamorous living room, or small spaces like
pretty powder rooms.
The Home Depot,
$60 per roll.
Fresh flowersNot ready to redecorate? No worries! You can still bring nature inside by featuring
beautiful floral arrangements on your dining table,
entryway console, night table, or anywhere and everywhere in your home. Head to your local farmer’s market to find a fresh bouquet of wildflowers, or take a trip to your florist for a bunch of fresh flowers and create
fabulous floral arrangments. Tulips, peonies, hydrangeas and roses are all great choices! Cost varies, check your local florist. (Image courtesy of
iStockphoto.)

8 terrific travel gifts for your favourite jet-setter

Gift Guides

8 terrific travel gifts for your favourite jet-setter

The travel enthusiast on your shopping list is sure to love any of these great gift ideas.

Shopping for someone who loves to travel this holiday season? Look no further for inspired gift ideas we’re sure they will love! From bags that’ll help them travel in style to essential tech gadgets they’ll never want to leave home without, these gifts are sure to be a hit this Christmas!

1 iPhone 7 Plus: No traveler leaves home without a camera and these days, all they really need is their smartphone! The brand new iPhone 7 Plus delivers its best camera ever with some seriously awesome new features, which make it a must-have for the shutterbug on your Christmas list. The improved camera means significantly better photos in low-light and more vibrant, colour-rich photos in regular light. The camera can take ‘portrait mode’ photos (blurring out the background and giving a bokeh effect like a fancy SLR camera) and has an optical zoom. Plus, it’s now splash- and water-resistant… hello, beach! iPhone 7, Apple, $899.

2 Jenni Saddle Bag: Ask any seasoned traveler and she’ll tell you that a small cross-body bag is a travel essential … and we just can’t get enough of the ‘Jenni’ saddle bag from Gigi New York. The sultry saddle shape combined with a luxe pebble grain leather make this bag a stylish addition to any outfit. With an adjustable strap and detachable tassel, this stunning bag is a winner! Jenni Saddle Bag,Gigi New York, $345.

3 Clarity Clutch + Coin Pouch: Looking for a gift for the stylish travelista on your shopping list this Christmas? This transparent clutch and coin pouch duo is just what you’re looking for! Both items are ideal for keeping travel necessities like a passport, boarding pass and money close at hand. Or use it to store makeup and toiletries. Either way, the clutch and the pouch will make it so much easier to find things that easily get lost at the bottom of a handbag! Clarity Clutch + Coin Pouch, Truffle, $60.

4 Kindle Paperwhite: The traveler who can’t live without her books will be truly thrilled to find the Kindle Paperwhite e-reader under the Christmas tree this year. Now available in black and white, the Kindle Paperwhite offers readers a high-resolution display with a built-in adjustable light. The screen has no glare so it simulates reading an actual paper book. Its compact size makes it perfectly portable, ideal for the travel lover on your shopping list this season! Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon, $119.99.

5 Beach Tray: In this acrylic tray, Gray Malin marries the stunning aerial photography he’s known for with a striking home decor accent piece. Suitable for a myriad of uses (serving tray, office catch-all or simply a beautiful objet d’art to be displayed and admired), this tray is sure to delight the traveler on your list. This particular tray, part of Gray Malin’s newly launched home collection, features an overhead shot of beach umbrellas in Lisbon. Beach Tray, Gray Malin, $295.

6 The Beaches Tote Bag: Every traveler needs a good, multi-purpose tote bag that can easily fit in their luggage and be pulled out at a moment’s notice. This canvas tote is the perfect bag for shopping at a local market, taking to the beach or for using as an extra carry-on bag to bring home shopping that won’t fit in the suitcase! The Beaches Tote Bag, Main and Local, $19.99.

7 The Bigger Carry-On: A suitcase that charges your phone? A suitcase that has an unbreakable, scratch-resistant exterior shell? A suitcase that is guaranteed for life? That’s the kind of suitcase every traveler dreams of. Away has reimagined the suitcase and the result is a modern piece of luggage that easily and effortlessly meets the needs of today’s traveler. This is a super chic gift for the super chic traveler. The Bigger Carry-On, Away, $245.

8 Men in Red Limited Edition Art Print: Inspire a travel-lover’s sense of adventure with a gorgeous piece of artwork that will not only look fabulous gracing the walls of their home, but will remind them of a favourite vacation (or motivate them to visit some place they’ve never been!) To make this gift extra special, choose the perfect frame from a number of options. Men in Red Limited Edition Art Print, Minted, starting at $21.

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

House Tours

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

A fashion photographer and online gallery owner transforms her home into a work of art.

The most effective galleries draw you in and make you feel welcome and inspired, as their artwork guides you from room to room, piquing your interest at each glance. Though this impeccably appointed house is not a gallery, it was decorated with the expert eye of a fashion photographer and online gallery owner, and its effect is the same: It beckons you to explore each corner and ask about every piece.

“I’ve always felt that my home is more about showcasing art than it is about design,” says Maude Arsenault, who lives in this approximately 3,000-square-foot Victorian in Montreal’s Outremont neighbourhood with her film director husband, Eric Tessier, and their three children.

Not surprisingly, every single wall is white (what gallery’s walls aren’t?). Warm and cool shades, high-gloss and eggshell finishes and wall treatments ranging from beadboard in the dining room to brick in the living room ensure the effect isn’t too sterile.

Photo Gallery

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Gallery-like home

Step inside this chic gallery-like home and you'll be met by beautiful barely there artwork - the compelling gaze of a gorgeous face photographed by Maude herself.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

White living room

Layers of texture and solid hits of black keep the all-white living room super cozy. So it's fitting that this is where the family spends the most time in winter, enjoying the plush seating and warm fire. Organizing idea: Store firewood in plain sight - it makes for a textural rustic-chic accent that's both decorative and functional.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Artwork

The freckled face above the fireplace lends the living room personality. Maude's sole piece of vintage artwork sits on its side, grabbing the eye's attention, and has a remarkable story behind it: Shot in 1968, the photograph is from a series that followed Bobby Kennedy's funeral train from New York to Washington, capturing the mourning public standing in salute.

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Matte black quartz

The marble perimeter countertops are difficult for a busy family to maintain, Maude admits, but she loves the Matte black quartz on the kitchen island.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Light and airy dining room

The light, white and airy dining room, which leads to the backyard, is a favourite space in this house - especially come summer. To maximize brightness, homeowner Maude Arsenault had the parquet floors and beadboard walls painted white.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Dining room art

The dining room photograph is one of Maude's favourite pieces.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Monochromatic staircase

The black, white and wood entryway sets the tone for the whole home, which exudes the same modern classic vibe. This streamlined setup sends your eye immediately to the artwork resting casually on the floor - a moody shot of grassy rock terrain, which provides a whisper of colour ot the space.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Hallway

The upstairs hallway features smaller works of art, including some pieces from friends.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Peaceful master bedroom

"Books, lights, a chair and a bed - the master bedroom is very simple," says Maude. Above all else, she wanted it to feel peaceful, which is precisely why she chose the rose artwork for above the bed. "I love that it's dramatic but not upbeat," she says. "I find it so calming and self-reflective."

Image by: Style at Home
By: Iris Benaroia
Source: Angus McRitchie

House tour: Modern monochromatic Victorian home

Coffee spot

The sidechair and side table in the master bedroom offer a quaint place to enjoy a coffee while overlooking the huge tree in the backyard.

Budget decorating

5 ways to get the marble look without the marble price

Few materials strike a chord with us in the same way that marble does. The sought-after stone, with its subtle sheen and veined markings, is quick to catch the eye and lends a luxe look to a space without being over the top. The downside, of course, is its price point. Here are 5 marble-like options that will achieve the same sophisticated, formal look for a fraction of the cost.

Photo Gallery

5 budget-friendly marble alternatives

Vinyl floor tile

Looking for a faux marble tile that can handle heavy foot traffic? Consider peel-and-stick vinyl floor tiles. In addition to their resilient nature, the tiles can be installed over most existing flooring. In other words, they make for a perfect weekend DIY project that won’t end in defeat. TrafficMaster Premium Vinyl Tile in Carrara Marble, Home Depot, starting at $0.89/sq. ft.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Brittany Devenyi
Source: The Home Depot

5 budget-friendly marble alternatives

Contact paper

If you love the marbled look, you’ll want to customize all of your furniture with this stylish contact paper. The affordable material has a peel-away backing that can stick to almost any surface, from the top of a coffee table to the inside of kitchen drawers. Keep in mind that the paper doesn’t react well to water, so avoid using it in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink. Marble Contact Paper in Marmi Grey, Design Your Wall, $59.99 per roll.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Brittany Devenyi
Source: Style at Home

5 budget-friendly marble alternatives

Ceramic wall tile

Elevate your living space with ceramic wall tiles that mimic the look of marble like this elegant option from Ciot. Though similar in appearance, ceramic is far more delicate than marble and is therefore more susceptible to chips and cracks. The solution: Be strategic with placement, avoiding high-traffic areas in favour of bathroom walls or backsplashes. Marvel Wall Tile in Calacatta Extra, Ciot, see store for pricing.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Brittany Devenyi
Source: Ciot

5 budget-friendly marble alternatives

Porcelain tile

Porcelain is another classic material that boasts marble's polished aesthetic without the hefty price tag. The tile is more resilient than ceramic, which makes it perfect for flooring as well as bathroom walls and kitchen backsplashes. Let's just say marble-inspired porcelain has the ability to make any space sparkle. Glazed Porcelain Tiles in White, Olympia Tile + Stone, see store for pricing.

5 budget-friendly marble alternatives

Laminam

If you’re not yet familiar with Laminam, allow us to be the first to introduce you. The innovative material is touted as being the world’s first porcelain tile that's offered in 3 metre by 1 metre panels and is thinner than standard porcelain tiling. This means that in addition to covering existing walls and floors, Laminam can take on an array of delicate surfaces (think fireplace surrounds, kitchen countertops and outdoor areas). I Naturali Laminam in Bianco Statuario, Stone Tile, see store for pricing.

Design Lesson

10 easy and elegant holiday decorating ideas to try this year

What’s better than chic, sophisticated holiday style? The ability to achieve it with ease. Here are 10 tips to simplify your next festive soiree.

Last year, when homeowners Pamela Schott and Sheldon Pollack moved into this 7,500-square-foot five-bedroom century home in Toronto’s Forest Hill neighbourhood, they merged more than just their families (he has three 30-somethings; she has two kids; and four of the five live at the house part-time). The couple, who will wed next year, also blended their approaches to the holidays. To that end, their seasonal decor is sophisticated and minimalist, glamorous and uncluttered, neither too gimmicky nor too theme-y. For Pamela and Sheldon, it’s all about simplicity. Though they enjoy entertaining – the couple loves to host a holiday drop-in – they always keep it effortless. “A party is about the friends, family, wine, appetizers and conversation,” says Pamela, who makes creating a relaxed atmosphere her priority. “It’s about the event, not the planning.” Here, we highlight 10 ways Pamela and Sheldon execute their elegant holiday style with ease.

1 Choose function: A petite potted rosemary tree gives the kitchen counter holiday flair with purpose. Well into the new year, it will serve as a source of fresh decoration for place settings and garnish for themed cocktails.

2 Make strategic splurges: Don’t stress about baking in the days leading up to your party. If you lack the time and the piping skills, splurge on artfully adorned cookies iced in your home’s colour scheme for a scrumptious statement.

3 Stay simple: A bouquet of white amaryllis is an understated accent that’s synonymous with winter but doesn’t scream “holidays.” Buy the blooms a few days before your event so they’re at their prime when guests arrive.

4 Lay it down: Getting festive garlands to swag just right can take a lot of fussing. So if you want to gussy up your windows in a flash, layer cuttings of greenery on your windowsills instead. Here, Douglas fir and magnolia leaves add a luxe touch.

5 Accent the architecture: Draw attention to eye-catching structural features like leaded glass windows with beautiful holiday wreaths that accentuate the details but don’t steal the show.

6 Make room for more: Use a bowl to hold gorgeous Christmas ornaments that didn’t make it onto the tree for a simple centrepiece or coffee table accent.

7 Wrap it up: No pot? No problem! Use a swath of grey linen fabric secured with decorative ribbon to dress up the base of a tabletop tree. This unconventional feature lends a festive touch to an otherwise unadorned space.

8 Come out from under the tree: Take your gift wrapping to the next level with finishing details like sculptural toppers and layered ribbons. Don’t just place presents under the tree: Artfully arrange them on various nearby surfaces for vignettes that suit the season.

9 Mix metallics: Sticking to a gold and silver palette makes decorating the tree almost effortless. Look for a mix of shimmering materials, from beading to mercury glass to metallic fabrics, so you don’t have to think too hard about even distribution.

10 Make it a team effort: Whether it’s decorating the tree, hanging wreaths or wrapping presents, holiday tasks are more easily executed as a team. Get your tools out ahead of time, gather the family and put on your favourite holiday tunes to set the mood – you’ll be done before you can say “cool yule!”